Sukta 178

Mantra 1

यद्ध स्या त इन्द्र श्रुष्टिरस्ति यया बभूथ जरितृभ्य ऊती । मा नः कामं महयन्तमा धग्विश्वा ते अश्यां पर्याप आयोः ॥

If indeed thou hast that ready hearing, O Indra, by which thou hast become the help of the singers, then set not aside our growing desire; may I attain all thy riches, encompassing them, O vital power.

Mantra 2

न घा राजेन्द्र आ दभन्नो या नु स्वसारा कृणवन्त योनौ । आपश्चिदस्मै सुतुका अवेषन्गमन्न इन्द्रः सख्या वयश्च ॥

Surely King Indra does not deceive us—he who makes the sister-powers one in their womb. Even the Waters, for him, have found glad ease; may Indra come to us with friendship and with the strength of life.

Mantra 3

जेता नृभिरिन्द्रः पृत्सु शूरः श्रोता हवं नाधमानस्य कारोः । प्रभर्ता रथं दाशुष उपाक उद्यन्ता गिरो यदि च त्मना भूत् ॥

Indra, hero, is the victor in the battles with the men; he is the hearer of the call of the striving singer. He brings forward the chariot for the giver who is near at hand—when the utterances rise up, if he becomes so by his own self-power.

Mantra 4

एवा नृभिरिन्द्रः सुश्रवस्या प्रखादः पृक्षो अभि मित्रिणो भूत् । समर्य इषः स्तवते विवाचि सत्राकरो यजमानस्य शंसः ॥

Thus, with the powers in man, Indra becomes the forward-driving breaker of good hearing and luminous fame; he comes face to face with the friendly forces. In the battle, the impulsions of force are affirmed in manifold speech; the praise of the sacrificer becomes a maker of the straight, continuous working (towards victory).

Mantra 5

त्वया वयं मघवन्निन्द्र शत्रूनभि ष्याम महतो मन्यमानान् । त्वं त्राता त्वमु नो वृधे भूर्विद्यामेषं वृजनं जीरदानुम् ॥

With thee, O bountiful Indra, may we confront and overpass the hostile forces that deem themselves great. Thou art the protector; be for our increase: may we win the impulsion and the victorious advance, and the giver whose bounty endures.